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MISSOURI SOCIETY 
1896 

Prize fRedal £$$ay 0>nte$t 

BY THE 

High School Scholars and Schools of Equal Grade 

OF THE 

STATE OF MISSOURI. 



SUBJECT: 



"Benjamin franklin, the Patriot 



» 



The First Prize, a Gold Medal, awarded to MISS ELINOR JONES, 
of Mary Institute, St. Louis. 



The Second Prize, a Silver Medal, awarded to RALPH P. SWOFFORD, 
of Kansas City High School, Kansas City. 



The Third Prize, a Bronze Medal, awarded to ALBERT B. CHANDLER, 
of Smith Academy, St. Louis. 



Honorable mention awarded to 

MISS MAY A. CLARKE, St. Joseph High School. 

MISS LILLIAN JANET STRONG, St. Joseph High School. 

CHARLES M. GUTHRIE, St. Joseph High School. 



PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 



KANSAS CITY, MO. 

Lawton & Burnap, Stationers and Printers, 706-708 Delaware Street. 

1896. 



By transfei 

8 iStf 



ETdoe 



-.. 



COMMITTEE OIn AWARD. 

Prof. Calvin Milton Woodward, Ph. D., Washington University, St. Louis. 
Prof. Edward Archibald Allen, Litt. D., State University, Columbia. 
Prof. Joseph Philip Blanton, A. M., State University. Columbia. 






REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 

( COPY. ) 

University of the State of Missouri, 

Office of the President of the Board. 

St. Louis, Mo., February 3d, 1896. 
Henry Cadle, Esq. , 

Sec'y Sons of the Revolution, 

Bethany, Missouri. 
Dear Sir, — Your committee, to whom was assigned the 
important duty of selecting the best three essays from those sub- 
mitted for the prizes offered by the Society, respectfully submit 
the following report: 

The essay entitled to the first prize is signed "M. E. J." 
The essay entitled to the second prize is signed "John Kims." 
The essay entitled to the third prize is signed "Smudge." 

The committee take pleasure in saying that in their estima- 
tion the above essays are of a high order of merit and fully 
deserve the distinction which they now receive. 

Three other essays, though not receiving prizes, are certainly 

entitled to "honorable mention. " They are those signed respectively 

by "Hildegarde," "Glenwood Spencer" and "Carl Wright." 

Respectfully, 

C. M. Woodward, \ 

E. A. Allen, > Committee. 

J. P. Blanton, ) 



THE FIRST PRIZE ESSAY (GOLD medal). 

"BENJAMIN FRANKXIN, THE PATRIOT," 
By MISS EEINOR JONES, 

of Mary Institute, St. Louis. 



Benjamin Franklin, whether considered as writer, philosopher, 
or patriot, must always remain one of the most conspicuous 
figures in American history. His life was certainly a remarkable 
one. At a time when there was no American literature he made 
his name known as a writer of unusual merit, and the shrewd 
proverbs of "Poor Richard" became household words. Without 
education or scientific training, he took his place among the most 
famous scientists of the day. By his invention and discoveries, 
he secured recognition among European philosophers. But it is 
when we consider the services to his country — the many difficult 
tasks he performed for her honor, the judicious direction of all 
his talents to the furtherance of her interests, and the influence of 
his wisdom and energy and his counsel — that we must willingly 
acknowledge his right to respect and admiration. 

In the great political contests of his day, he was the main sup- 
port of the colonists, and his services were as essential to the 
success of the patriots as those of any military commander. The 
time and effort which he devoted to the public cause had as marked 
results as the victories of the great generals. His diplomacy was 
worth as much as the conquests of the battle field. 

He was not the most brilliant of America's sons, nor were his 
powers such as to attract immediate notice. He was a man who 
worked with quiet persistency, using no extraordinary means to 
accomplish what he undertook and making little show, yet he 
rarely failed in his undertakings. He could cope with any emerg- 
ency. He had a knack of doing the right thing at the right time ; 
a faculty of performing the most arduous labors in the quietest 
way. His industry, perseverance, and self-control were important 
factors in his success ; but perhaps his greatest excellence lay in 



6 

his sound judgment of practical matters. His career throughout 
was characterized by simplicity and conscientious integrity, inflex- 
ible resolution and sound common sense, which commanded esteem 
and even veneration. It has been wisely said of him that taking 
him for all in all, his moral and intellectual proportions, he was 
one of the most symmetrically developed men that this country 
ever produced. 

Franklin came of sturdy stock, poor and hard working, but 
far from ignorant ; the same stock which produced our greatest 
Americans, such as Lincoln and Grant. 

His father wished to send his son to school, but his means would 
not permit, and his only studying was done in his little leisure, 
first when he worked with his father as a tallow chandler, and then 
with his eldest brother as a printer. 

Life was a hard school to the boy, but the training he received 
was a good one, as he proved, when, by himself, he made his way 
to Philadelphia to find employment as a printer. Gradually he 
made his way up, winning every step of the way by hard work and 
close application. 

Through his industry and economy he had now become com- 
paratively wealthy, and with his increased wealth came more leis- 
ure to devote to literary, philosophical and political life. The 
publication in 1732 of "Poor Richard's Almanac" augmented his 
reputation for intelligence and probity. He now made many 
important electrical experiments, which were verified by the lead- 
ing European philosophers, was elected a member of the "Royal 
Society," and had conferred upon him by the Universities of Oxford, 
St. Andrews and Edinburgh, the honorary title of Doctor of Laws. 

About this time his political career also began ; he was chosen 
clerk of the General Assembly, postmaster of Philadelphia, justice 
of the peace, alderman, one of the Common Council of the City, 
and a member of the Provincial Legislature. Already in Phila- 
delphia he had come to be called its second founder. He organized 
fire companies, reformed the city watch, procured the paving and 
lighting of the streets, besides establishing the American Philo- 
sophical Society and the present University of Pennsylvania. 

At the same time he promoted the interests of the whole 
province of Pennsylvania by providing for it its first real system 



of military discipline. In all these improvements he displayed 
that practical ability and shrewd common sense which characterized 
the mau throughout his life. Indeed, his experience and ability 
became so well known and were so widely appreciated that all 
enterprises, whether concerned with the common and useful inter- 
ests of life, or the gravest and most portentous affairs of state, 
were referred to his judgment and counsel. 

Not only did Franklin work for Pennsylvania. His services 
to the British Government were many and valuable. Under his 
management the post-office yielded for the first time a large revenue ; 
and though he declared himself possessed of no military talents, 
after Braddock's defeat, he provided troops and fortifications for 
the frontier, obtained a military bill, and proposed a plan for the 
union of the several colonies for defense against the Indians. His 
first diplomatic mission was undertaken when the dispute arose, 
occasioned by the claim of the proprietary body, that their estates 
were free from taxation, and he was sent to England as agent of 
the colonies. His task was difficult, for the people of the provinces 
had been represented as ignorant and disorderly, and he must over- 
come these false impressions and inform and interest his hearers. 
He worked with zeal and ability and at length secured a compro- 
mise and received on his return the thanks of the House of Assem- 
bly. As his first mission was so successful, it was natural th;it 
when in 1764, the Provincial Assembly opposed the Stamp Act, 
he was again sent to effect a compromise. His endeavors could, 
however, only retard the hostilities and the quarrel grew more and 
more bitter. The Government tried to win Franklin over by 
promises and threats, but he remained loyal to his country, and 
when reconciliation was refused, he returned to America to become 
a member of Congress, whose foundation he advised. 

Here he had great influence and was very active, advising what 
he had, until now, opposed — that the Colonists, as a united whole, 
should declare themselves independent. He wrote to England : 
''Britain, I conclude, has lost her colonies forever. She is giving 
us such a miserable specimen of her government that we shall ever 
detest and avoid it as a complication of robbery, murder and pesti- 
lence. If you flatter yourself with beating us into submission, 
you know neither the people nor the country." Again he wrote 



8 

patriotically to an English commissioner who was to "offer 
pardon upon submission" to Congress: "Directing pardons to 
be offered to the Colonies, who are the very parties injured, ex- 
presses indeed that opinion of our ignorance, baseness and in- 
sensibility which your uninformed and proud nation has long 
been pleased to entertain of us; but it can have no other effect 
than that of increasing our resentments. I consider this war 
against us as both unjust and unwise, and I am persuaded that cool 
and dispassionate posterity will condemn to infamy those who 
advised it." 

Then came the day, that July the Fourth, which stands out on 
the pages of all history, when the Declaration of Independence 
was signed, and Franklin, with the other patriots, put his name to 
that paper, which meant so much to him and the Colonies, and 
came to mean so much to the United States. 

At last the cause of the Americans began to look gloomy, and 
Congress sent this country's first ambassador, Benjamin Franklin, 
to France to ask for aid. Franklin reached France, the unrecog- 
nized ambassador of an unrecognized power, and in his usual earn- 
est and quiet manner, labored faithfully for some time to convince 
the old and elegant French nation that they ought to take up the 
cause of this newly born country against their powerful neighbors, 
the British. 

This was no easy task, for the rustic Americans had to cope 
with the most accomplished and cultured of Europe's diplomatists. 
This home-spun man must impress the cleverness of the most bril- 
liant court in Europe. How he did it we can never know. We 
can but say, he did it. 

He remained at the French court until the end of the war, and 
then as American plenipotentiary, he signed the Treaty of Paris, 
and the United States was an acknowledged independent power. 
After this he was anxious to return to America, but as his country 
required his diplomatic services in Europe, he did not come back 
until three years later. His departure from France was much 
regretted, for he had made many friends. Jefferson said that 
"more respect and veneration attached to the character of Dr. 



9 

Franklin in France than to that of any other person in the same 
country, foreign or native." 

"God and Liberty," Voltaire once said as a benediction on 
Franklin's grandson, "God and Liberty — this is the only device 
that becomes the grandson of the great Franklin," and M. Biot 
wrote of Franklin : " He appeared in the guise not of a zealot 
for innovation, but of a sober friend to liberty, at a season in 
which the word liberty, not yet linked with the most hateful reco- 
lections, thrilled deliciously through every heart." 

We were not slow in remarking — in admiring his caution, his 
patient firmness, his moderation, that incomparable alliance in his 
mind of the utmost solidity of judgment with delicacy and vivacity 
of wit. 

Honor and gratitude awaited his return to the United States 
and he was offered office after office. His last service was his 
advice in the Federal Convention. 

He possessed his sound mind to the last, and died tranquilly. 
His tomb is plain — "No inscription could have recorded his 
merits, no monument could express the obligations of his posterity." 

We think of him not merely for his great diplomatic services 
to his country, but because he is perhaps more than any revolu- 
tionary character — an American. If he was no aristocrat and 
was not educated, then have we all the more reason to be proud 
of him, for he represented the plain American, and this being the 
case, we can never be ashamed of Americans. 

M. E. J. 



10 



THE SECOND PRIZE ESSAY (silver medal). 

"BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, THE PATRIOT," 
By RALPH P. SWOFFORI), 

of Kansas City High School. Kansas City. 



Benjamin Franklin was born in the city of Boston in the early 
part of the eighteenth century. His parents were very poor and 
could give hirn only a common school education, but early in his 
career Franklin developed a love for literature, and by his careful 
reading and painstaking method of reproducing what he had read, 
he acquired a literary style which was of lasting benefit to him. 
He was a very mischievous and wilful boy, unable to get along 
with his brother, to whom he was apprenticed. On this account, 
at the age of seventeen, he left for Philadelphia and there obtained 
odd jobs from a printer named Keimer. In this humble way 
Franklin began his life work. In a few years he established a 
printing house of his own. By his industry and close attention to 
business he soon gained a large trade and established a newspaper. 
During all this time Franklin had taken a lively interest in public 
affairs. Among his neighbors he had gained the reputation of 
being a veiy worthy and energetic young man, and had several 
times been invited to dine with the Governor of the Province. 

Through his newspaper he now began a series of articles advo- 
cating several reforms in municipal affairs. The first was the estab- 
lishment of the Philadelphia library — the beginning of that great 
system of public libraries now extending throughout the conti- 
nent. He next advocated the formation of a city watch, then of a 
fire department, then of the University of Philadelphia, then a city 
hospital, then of a department for cleaning and paving the streets. 
All these reforms took slowly with the colonists; they were content 
to plod along in the old way, but Franklin was always looking 
ahead. He proposed no plan that was not absolutely necessary 
for the protection and comfort of the people, and all his improve- 
ments are to-day in use in every city in our land. All his plans 



11 

were first duly set forth in a pamphlet or in his newspaper, after 
which Franklin himself would go around with a subscription list 
and invariably collect a sufficient amount to carry through his 
project. 

Thus far in his life Franklin had been busy making for himself 
a name. How had he succeeded ? From the time he had entered 
Philadelphia a bo} r with scarcely a dollar in his pocket, he had, by 
the display of his unerring judgment and ability, gained a place 
in the hearts and minds of his fellow citizens equalled by few and 
surpassed by none. 

He had been advanced higher and higher in the public service 
from Clerk of the Assembly to Postmaster of Philadelphia, and 
when he retired from business was immediately elected a member 
of the Assembly. 

The dispute between England and France concerning the 
American provinces resulted in war. A convention of all states 
assembled in Albany to discuss measures for the union of the 
Colonies. All eyes were turned upon Franklin. He proposed a 
plan which was accepted by the convention, but vetoed by the 
King as being too democratic. But Franklin, notwithstanding 
this rebuke, did all in his power to further the interests of Eng- 
land in the war. For these services he never received a word of 
thanks. It was thus all through his life. No matter how badly 
he had been treated by a fellow being he was always ready to for- 
give and to return good for evil. He never did things by halves 
but always devoted his whole being to the task at hand. No mat- 
ter how hard or disagreeable a duty was laid upon him by the 
Colonies, he never stopped until it was finished to the best of his 
ability. 

The state of affairs in Pennsylvania now demanded all his 
attention. The rule, of the proprietaries had become so unbear- 
able that it was decided to send an agent to England with a 
remonstrance. Again all looked to Franklin as the only man for 
the place. This was his first foreign commission, but he showed 
the Colonists that he was a born statesman. After a stay of five 
years in London, he finally obtained from the proprietaries the 
promise that the Colonists should be granted the privileges they 
asked. This, the chief object of his journey, having been gained, 



12 

he returned to Philadelphia. There he was received with accla- 
mations of applause. But the success of his mission was short- 
lived and he was again sent to Britain. Soon after his second 
arrival the Stamp Act was passed — the act which aroused to such 
a pitch of indignation all true Americans. Then came Franklin's 
great examination before Parliament and the King. So bravely 
did he bear himself, so pointedly and effectively did he answer all 
questions, and so strongly did he impress that vast audience, that 
the Stamp Act was immediately repealed. But England, in many 
other ways, seemed bent upon subduing her Colonists to the point 
of slavery, and after a stay of three years, plan after plan having 
been submitted proposing a reconciliation, and all having been 
rejected, Franklin saw that the crisis had come and that he must 
return home. He had taken so active a part in behalf of the 
Colonists that even Parliament began to hate him personally. Lord 
Sandwich, in speaking of a bill relating to the American Provinces, 
turned to Franklin and said: ''I fancy I have in my eye the per- 
son who drew this up; one of the bitterest and most mischievous 
enemies this country ever had." 

Soon after Franklin's return to America he was made a mem- 
ber of three public bodies. He tried to do his share of the work 
in each and for eight months labored incessantly. But he was 
getting well on in years at that time and was forced, against his 
will, to resign from the Assembly of Pennsylvania. Congress 
now demanded most of his attention. He was appointed one of a 
committee to draw up a Declaration of Independence. After a 
debate of three days their report was accepted and the members 
of Congress drew around to sign the paper. " We must be 
unanimous," said Hancock, "there must be no pulling different 
ways; we must all hang together." "Yes," replied Franklin. 
" we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall 
all hang separately." 

With the Declaration of Independence war began, and two men 
had to be chosen to till two important positions; one to command 
the army and one to procure from foreign countries the money 
necessary to carry on the war. Washington was chosen for the 
former and Benjamin Franklin for the latter position. 

He now set sail for France and very soon arrived in Paris. 



13 

Such a reception as the old man had there! People went wild over 
him. His writings, his fame as a member of the Royal Society, 
the report of his work in London had all preceded him; had all 
won the hearts of the French people. Everywhere he was received 
with acclamations. His simple dignity, his democratic waj^s, 
placed him as the model of all Americans in the French mind. 
He was to them the Patriot Statesman of that freedom which was 
tearing at the French heart and which was soon to break forth in 
that terrible struggle of the Revolution. He soon procured arms 
and ships for the struggling Colonists. He then asked for money 
and obtained it. The Colonial Congress, which had been making 
numerous debts, now turned these all over to Franklin to pay. 
This they continued to do all through the war. Many and many 
a time bills would come pouring in with not a dollar in the treas- 
ury to pay them. All these had to be paid and all were paid. 
Franklin's skill and patience were taxed to the utmost, but through 
it all he never grumbled at the seeming imposition. He obtained 
from France millions and millions of dollars at a time when she 
needed every dollar herself; at a time when the throne of Louis 
was tottering on the feeble foundation of political despotism. Dur- 
ing all this time he had been hampered by the machinations of 
several persons at home, who, through jealousy, were trying to 
have him recalled. Franklin never uttered a word of reproach to 
these men or tried to defend himself in the least, but Congress 
wisely refused to listen to their story. It is well they did. If 
Franklin had been recalled America would not have received the 
help she did from foreign governments. They loved Benjamin 
Franklin and it was through their hearts that he found his way to 
their purses. Time and space will not permit the numerous acts 
of Franklin in behalf of the Colonists to be given here. He 
labored from early morning until late at night. As the only 
American Government that foreign countries knew, he had to 
receive all visitors, pay all debts and salaries, and make all treaties. 
England, when she sought peace, turned not to the Congress in 
America but to Franklin in Paris. This work, which required 
every minute of his time, was too hard for the old man, who many 
times petitioned Congress to allow him to return, but was refused 
his request until peace had been made with England and all the 



u 

important foreign work was over. On landing in Philadelphia he 
was received by a mighty concourse of people; bells were rung, 
cannon were fired, and tributes were showered in from every side. 
He was eighty-one when he returned to America, and after trying 
as best he could to serve his country three years more, he was 
taken sick and on the 17th of April, 1790, he passed away at the 
age of 84. His work was finished. He had lived to see the 
Colonies for which he had done so much, a group of independent 
states, bound together under one flag. 

The man, whose youth, stained with many errors, pointed to 
a sinful future, with these errors eradicated from his life and with 
the acquisition of a truer spirit, had risen by his industry and 
unerring judgment higher and higher in the esteem of his fellow 
citizens. He never, in any way, tried to procure an office, but 
gave up everything and cheerfully assumed the responsibility when 
one was given him. 

Benjamin Frankliu, the Patriot and Statesman! His grave in 
Philadelphia is marked by a simple slab. But there is a monu- 
ment to his memory grander and more enduring than any shaft of 
bronze or marble wrought with the engraver's utmost skill — that 
undying one erected by his own unceasing efforts and untiring 
energy, which shall descend from father to son, from generation to 
generation — the monument of love, honor and gratitude. 

The name of Benjamin Franklin, the Patriot, will remain for- 
ever in the minds of all Americans, occupying a place second to 
that of him who is called the "Father of His Country." 

John Kims. 



15 



THE THIRD PRIZE ESSAY (bronze medal). 

"BENJAMIN FRANKEIN, THE PATRIOT," 

By ALBEET B. CHANDLER, 

of Smith Academy, St. Louis. 



The year 1896 seems destined to be recorded as a period marked 
by a revival of American patriotism. During the present year 
one of the cardinal principles of the United States Government 
has been called into question, but no sooner had the challenge 
arisen than the whole people responded in no uncertain tones. The 
conclusion is irresistible. American patriotism is not dead; it is 
a stirring, active constituent of the nation's character. The Mon- 
roe Doctrine crisis is but an incident which has implanted still 
deeper in the heart of everjr American that loyalty and love of 
country which pervades every state of the Union. 

This is, then, a fitting time to call attention to those who, by 
their examples, have engendered such feelings in the breast of this 
people. Of these great men none deserve more esteem than Ben- 
jamin Franklin. He was a genuine patriot. Indeed, the honor 
of being the greatest American patriot of the eighteenth century 
belongs either to Franklin or Washington. But, although only 
one of these great men lived to be rewarded with the Presidency, 
there are at least two monuments of their fearless patriotism which 
demand the perpetual gratitude of every American. The first is 
the Declaration of Independence, which Franklin assisted in fram- 
ing, and which both signed at the risk of their lives. The second, 
and the greater, is that wonderful constitution which has come 
down to the present generation almost unaltered, showing that, by 
the efforts of two noble patriots, a Government "of the people, 
by the people and for the people," was founded to stand until all 
nations are ruled alike by the one great king. 

Shortly after performing these services to his country, Frank- 
lin departed to France to undertake the greatest work of his life. 



16 

He soon became immensely popular at the French capital, not 
only on account of his position in scientific circles, but for his 
patriotism and loyalty to the cause of. freedom. 

Through this popularity Franklin became a deliverer of his 
country. He made Fiance, in all but name, the ally of the Colo- 
nies, furnished his countrymen with sums amounting to $26, 000, 000 
for continuing the struggle for liberty, and, by threatening 
Great Britain with European war, was able to rescue his native 
land from the yoke of a cruel tyrant. If, on the other hand, the 
Continental forces had lacked any of these, French support, sup- 
plies, or a friend in England's rear, they would never have been 
able to bring to successful issue a struggle with the haughty "Mis- 
tress of the Seas," at a time when she was as powerful as she so 
soon proved herself in her war with Napoleon. 

There is but one other who, in a civil capacity, has rendered 
such great services to this country as Franklin. Lincoln, the great- 
est patriot of recent times, resembles so much the wonderful diplo- 
mat of one hundred years ago in both character and opinions as to 
cause remark after even a hasty glance at their careers. Both had 
been poor boys and had risen by their own plucky efforts. And 
when Lincoln freed this land from the curse of slavery, he followed 
the last advice which Franklin had given to Congress. Franklin 
was the president of the first organization in America for the abo- 
lition of slavery, and Lincoln might be called the president of the 
last. Franklin did much to mine the substance of this union from 
the mountain of British oppression; Lincoln refined the ore and 
welded it into its present mighty form which fifty thousand brave 
Confederate veterans have, but a week ago, volunteered to uphold. 
How similar are the sentiments expressed by these great men in 
regard to secession : H We must hang together or we are pretty 
sure to hang separately," and, "A house divided against itself can- 
not stand." 

Like Lincoln, who was able to say, ' ' I have not willingly 
planted a thorn in any man's bosom," Franklin's whole character 
was softened by the wide experience of a life which, although 
commenced in obscurity, closed amid all the honors of a world- 
wide reputation. And, as has been said of his predecessor, "Lin- 
coln bore the malice of his enemies with the philosophic equa- 



IT 

nimity of a stern and true patriot," faithful to the rights, liberties, 
and best interests of his country. 

But Franklin served his countrymen in one way, at least, in 
which Lincoln could not. There is nothing more important nor 
more beneficial to any country than its educational system. Who- 
ever founds an institution or a system for the education of the 
youth of a land, confers a blessing upon all posterity, and especially 
so if that institution is so established as to be equally accessible to 
rich and poor alike. Much gratitude is due Franklin on this 
score, for while he was residing in Philadelphia he founded a fund 
for the building of a " Public Academy," which has been enlarged 
until it has at length resulted in the University of Pennsylvania. 

The Carnegie Public Libraries have recently been winning a 
great deal of favorable comment. Yet who was the originator of 
public libraries in America? In this line, again, Franklin's phil- 
anthropic desire to help his fellow-beings has proved a signal benefit 
to the nation. In fact, no man has done more than Franklin for 
the education of his fellow-citizens. 

Though Franklin's greatest services to his country were all 
rendered in the pursuits of peace, he never shirked military duty. 
He was colonel of a regiment of twelve hundred men, besides a 
company of artillery. At one time Franklin headed an expedition 
to the frontier and made valuable observations of Indian strategy 
and on their methods of escaping detection. 

Had Franklin been in America at the time of the outbreak of 
the Revolution, it is highly probable that he would have yielded 
to his patriotic impulse and performed military duties as efficiently 
as he served in every other capacity. But as no other man could 
have accomplished as much abroad as Franklin, it was fortunate 
for the Colonists, for Americans to-day, that circumstances had 
already placed him in the proper field. For what Washington was 
to the American cause at home, Franklin was to it abroad. 

But after war had really been declared, Franklin's occupation 
as Colonial Agent in England became useless, and he returned to 
lend his influence to the Revolution. While at home Franklin 
gave a substantial evidence of his patriotism. He collected all his 
ready money, about fifteen thousand dollars, and subscribed it to 
the Continental loan. Some writers, apparently without investi- 



18 

gation, have stated that this showed Franklin's confidence in the 
result of the war. Such persons slander both the generosity and 
the patriotism of the distinguished man. At that time every dis- 
aster threatened the Colonies. Disregarding other evidence, the 
following note which Franklin wrote at that time to Lord North 
proves conclusively the gloomy forebodings which the great states- 
man entertained of the future. " You are," he writes, "a Mem- 
ber of Parliament and one of that majority which has doomed my 
country to destruction. You have begun to burn our towns and 
murder our people. Look upon your hands, they are stained with 
the blood of your relations! You and I were long friends; you 
are now my enemy and I am yours." Does this look as though 
Franklin believed he was making a safe business venture? 

There is, perhaps, no event in Franklin's long public career which 
has shown to better advantage his character of firm and decisive 
loyalty than his examination before the English Parliament. There 
Franklin stood at the bar of the British Assembly, dressed in his 
simple Colonial style, the helpless object of that ill-mannered abuse 
for which the English are notorious. But the noble statesman bore 
all these insults with a lofty dignity, and he answered every ques- 
tion so promptly and explicitly that Burke said, that it seemed as 
though a master was being examined by a lot of school boys. 
One of his questioners asked Franklin whether the Colonies could 
be made to submit to the Stamp Act, but the sturdy patriot 
bluntly replied: "No, never, unless compelled by force of arms." 
"But," one of the overbearing members interposed, "an agree- 
ment is necessary for America; it is so easy for Britain to burn all 
your seaport towns." What patriotic determination does Frank- 
lin's answer express: " My little property consists of houses in 
those towns; you may make bonfires of them whenever you please; 
the fear of losing them will never alter my resolution to resist to 
the last the claim of Parliament." 

But no part of this examination, which was conducted like a 
public trial, did more to prove Franklin's boundless confidence in 
our ancestors, or to insure the success of the Revolution than bis 
reply, when questioned about the advisability of taxing American 
imports, that the Americans would never pay the impost; that they 
could do without British products; that they will wear homespun 



19 

clothes, that they would give up silk and satin, and, that within a 
short time, their own factories could supply them with all the 
necessaries of life. This so astonished Parliament that it won 
over to the Colonial party all the mercantile and manufacturing 
interests in Britain, and, by creating a body in Parliament favor- 
able to American interests, Franklin was able, with the aid of its 
leaders, Chatham, Rockingham and Burke, to secure to America 
more of her rights than any other man could have hoped for. 

At the news of the repeal of the Stamp Act, or "Mother of 
Mischief," as Franklin called it, the joy of the Colonists knew no 
bounds and from that time until his death "le grand Franklin," as 
the French loved to call him, was perhaps the most popular man 
in America. For it was by his undaunted resolution that war was 
averted until the Colonial forces became strong enough to break 
the bond of British oppression. 

For this heroic opposition to their hereditary enemy, Franklin 
was even more petted by the French than by his own countrymen. 
What greater tribute than that of Count de Vergennes could be 
given to the patriotism of such a genius as Franklin ? " We esteem 
him," said the Count, "as much for his patriotism as for the wis- 
dom of his conduct."' 

Such are some of Franklin's characteristics. So thoroughly 
loyal was he that he would accept no salaiy while holding Govern- 
ment office. He risked not only his fortune but his life for this 
country. He not only led his countrymen against the foe, but he 
freed their smarting limbs from the fetters of a relentless tyrant. 
Yet it is incompatible with American ideas that even such a man 
should tolerate for an instant the thought of a title of nobility. 
But if we were to bestow any mark of distinction upon the dis- 
tinguished philosopher and diplomat of the Revolution, we could 
select none more agreeable to the great statesman himself, and 
more expressive of his services, than "Benjamin Franklin, the 
Patriot." 



Sons ok the revolution 

IN THE 

State of missouri. 

Instituted February 22, 1894. 

OFFICERS: 
President. 

Rt. Rev. DANIEL SYLVESTER TUTTLE, D. D., S. T. D., Sr. Louis. 
Bishop of Missouri. 

UicePresident. 

Hon. HENRY HITCHCOCK, St. Louis. 

Second Uicc-President. 

WILLIAM BINGHAM CLARKE, Kansas City. 

Secretary. 

HENRY CADLE, Bethany. 

Assistant Secretary. 

EWING McGREADY SLOAN, St. Louis. 

Registrar. 

Gen. JAMES HARDING, Jefferson City. 

treasurer. 

HENRY PURKITT WYMAN, St. Louis. 

Chaplain. 

Rev. GEORGE EDWARD MARTIN, D. D., St. Louis. 

Historian. 

Prof. ALEXANDER FREDERICK FLEET, A. M., LL. D., Mexico. 

marshal. 

ALFRED LEE SHAPLEIGH, St. Louis. 

Board of managers. 

Rt. Rev. DANIEL SYLVESTER TUTTLE, Hon. HENRY HITCHCOCK, 

WALLACE DELAFIELD, JAMES LAWRENCE BLAIR, 

TRUMAN AUGUSTUS POST, GEORGE AMOS NEWCOMB, 

WILLIAM BROWN DODDRIDGE, HENRY CADLE, 

WILLIAM BREWER DEAN, CHARLES CICERO RAINWATER, 

GEORGE ARNOLD BAKER, WILLIAM GODDIN BOYD, 

ALFRED LEIGHTON HOWE, NORRIS BRADFORD GREGG, 
JOSEPH BRYSON BRADLEY. 

Delegates to the General Society. 

HENRY CADLE, THOMAS JAMES, 

Prof. HALSEY COOLEY IVES, ARTHUR LEE, 

INNIS HOPKINS. 

Alternates. 

THOMAS DUDLEY KIMBALL, Hon. AMOS MADDEN THAYER, 

charles Mcintosh cuthbert, Lieut, parker whitney west, u. s. a. 

paul trapier gadsden. 



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